Harnett County recommended FY2025–26 budget raises school funding; fund balance effect draws board discussion

Harnett County staff presented the recommended FY2025–26 budget to the board, showing a general fund of $186,987,947 and a set of adjustments the manager and finance staff proposed after a recent public hearing.

Budget officer Lisa McFadden summarized changes the board asked staff to follow up on, including a $3.5 million increase in current expenses for Harnett County Schools, a roughly $200,000 increase in mental‑health funding for behavioral‑health urgent care and EMS squad support, and a proposed board of elections outreach specialist position with salary, benefits and equipment estimated at a little over $68,000.

McFadden said the $3.5 million addition for schools raises per‑pupil county funding to $1,684.56, or roughly a $270 per‑student increase, and the recommended budget increases the appropriated fund balance to $11,572,041. Kimberly (finance staff) said that appropriation would reduce the county’s restated unassigned fund balance to approximately 22 percent of expenditures, near the board policy maximum of 20 percent that has a defined purpose for amounts above 20 percent.

The board debated the fiscal trade‑offs and longer‑term capital needs. Commissioners and staff discussed that anticipated growth, upcoming school construction (including a planned Highland high school and other projects), and capital affordability could require future revenue measures. One commissioner said long‑range projections indicate a potential tax increase within two to three years to finance planned school debt if the county proceeds with additional major school projects.

Board of elections director Claire Jones explained the outreach position as a community‑facing role to increase voter education and participation, to lead off‑hours outreach at festivals and events, to conduct demonstrations and equipment familiarization and to help counter misinformation. “This person would be…out in the community…doing outreach,” Jones said, noting the position would do much of the after‑hours and weekend work the current staff cannot cover while they operate the elections office during regular business hours.

Commissioners asked for alternatives. One commissioner asked staff to return with a part‑time version of the outreach position for comparison. Several short‑term adjustments to the recommended budget (parks equipment removal, $50,000 for the economic development corporation jobs campaign, $500,000 to capital reserve for a Highland Road extension to prepare for a new high school) also were described by staff.

McFadden and finance staff said the recommended budget balances with the proposed appropriated fund balance but that any additions beyond the current package could require a tax increase or other revenue actions. The board scheduled further budget discussion at the next two regular meetings to finalize appropriations before adoption deadlines; staff asked commissioners to submit proposed changes quickly so the final budget document can be prepared.